The air radiation dose rate was measured at heights of 1 m, 50 cm, and 1 cm above the ground surface. Values were high close to the ground surface (1 cm) and lower at higher positions before decontamination as a result of soil contamination. Decontamination reversed this trend, such that the higher positions exhibited higher dose rates. Although surface soil contamination was removed, the contribution of radiation from the surroundings dominates the remaining dose rate and accounts for the reversal.